Tinis Mac and Cheese Lumpia (Print Version)

Crispy lumpia wrappers envelop a creamy macaroni and cheese blend, air-fried for a golden snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Mac and Cheese Filling

01 - 7 oz elbow macaroni
02 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
09 - ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

→ Lumpia Rolls

10 - 16 lumpia wrappers or spring roll wrappers
11 - 1 egg, beaten (for sealing)
12 - Cooking spray or small amount of neutral oil (for air-frying)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
03 - Gradually whisk in milk and cook for 2–3 minutes until thickened.
04 - Incorporate cheddar and mozzarella, stirring until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if used.
05 - Mix cooked macaroni into cheese sauce. Allow mixture to cool 10–15 minutes until thick enough to handle.
06 - Place one lumpia wrapper on a flat surface. Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of mac and cheese near the bottom edge. Fold sides over filling, roll tightly, and seal edge with beaten egg. Repeat for remaining wrappers.
07 - Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
08 - Lightly spray or brush rolls with oil and arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
09 - Air-fry for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
10 - Serve warm with optional ketchup, sriracha, or cheese dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The wrappers turn impossibly crispy in the air fryer while the mac and cheese stays soft and melty inside.
  • Theyre small enough to eat with your hands but rich enough to feel like a real treat.
  • You can make them ahead and fry them right before people arrive, which saves you from last minute panic.
02 -
  • If the mac and cheese is too hot when you wrap it, the wrappers will get soggy and tear, so always let the filling cool down first.
  • Dont overfill the rolls or theyll burst open in the air fryer, two to three tablespoons is the sweet spot.
  • If youre stacking the wrapped rolls before frying, keep them covered with a damp towel so the wrappers dont dry out and crack.
03 -
  • Use a pizza cutter to trim any uneven wrapper edges before rolling, it makes them easier to seal and look neater.
  • If you dont have an air fryer, you can shallow-fry these in a pan with about half an inch of oil, turning them until golden on all sides.
  • For an even cheesier experience, brush the hot rolls with melted butter and sprinkle them with grated parmesan right after they come out.
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